|Style| What's black and white all over?

One trend that I've been loving since the start of the season has been the monochromatic look - the combination of black and white.  It’s an easy duo that gives you an instant look and a great backdrop to play your accessories off of. 

top - Carmakoma (PRiMAALA) | tank - H&M | pants and necklace - Forever 21 | shoes - Penningtons | earrings - Frug (PRiMAALA)   

I recently went to PRiMAALA to check out some of the new stock.  I couldn’t resist pulling more and more fabulous black and white pieces.  Monochromatic is a very clean look, which is why I think I love it so much.  There's also something very classic, yet modern about it. 

top - MYNT 1792 (PRiMAALA) | skirt - Carmakoma (PRiMAALA) | clutch - Opelle (PRiMAALA) | shoes - Penningtons (MBLM) | earrings Regalia (PRiMAALA)

sweater - Eileen Fisher (PRiMAALA) | pants - Carmakoma (PRiMAALA) | shoes - Forever 21 | bag - Aldo | scarf - Micky London (PRiMAALA) | necklace and earrings - Frug (PRiMAALA)

All PRiMAALA pieces are available now, in store!  

|Style| Bright Days

peplum top - Lundström (PRiMAALA) | jeans- Carmakoma (PRiMAALA) | bag - Opelle (PRiMAALA) | scarf - Micky London (PRiMAALA) | shoes - Penningtons

Spring's in full effect and I’m taking full advantage.  I really love the colour combo of a bright with more of a neutral.  It gives the look an anchor and doesn’t overwhelm you with too much colour.  Here I paired an almost neon orange peplum with a great printed skinny jean.  The look is casual, but with a great leather bag and a gauzy layered scarf it makes it more than just a t-shirt and jeans.  

necklace and bracelet - Frug (PRiMAALA)

|Friday Favourites| Feather Tunic

sweater - Lundström (via PRiMAALA) | tunic and belt - Jessica Biffi For Addition Elle | pants and shoes - Forever 21 | bag - Opelle (via PRiMAALA)

We all have those favourtie pieces in our closets that we keep coming back to.  Those few special items that make us feel happy and confident.  That’s why I wanted to introduce (as a part of my new feature) Friday Favourites - where I will take a favourite piece in my closet and share it with you.  You may see the same piece more than once here, but it’s all about making it work with new pieces and refreshing a classic.  

For my first Friday Favourite, I decided to share one of my all time favourites.  This colourful feather-like abstract printed tunic is from my first collaboration with Addition Elle from Spring 2010. I love the versatility of the length, with the hi-lo detailing - which I did before it was trending (ah-thank you very much).  The pleats, which are one of my design signatures, give fullness to the body, but keep it clean at the neckline.  

Here I paired my Jessica Biffi for Addition Elle tunic with an elastic belt also from the same collection.  It gives my frame a little more shape and gives a more polished feel to the look.  To top off my outfit I added my cozy Lundström cocoon sweater (I loved the black one so much that I had to get the cream as well!) and harem pants.

|Profile| PRiMAALA Part 2

Back in March I got a chance to check out the media opening of PRiMAALA.  Having had my own exclusive preview with store owner Rachel Holt, before the store was technically ready, it was amazing to see the racks full, stock tagged and the store in full swing.  As Rachel gave a quick tour and chatted about which brands were her focus, I couldn’t help but shop.  Having a chance to play dress up the first time didn’t stop me from popping back in the adorable change rooms to try on a few more must haves. 

Lundström tunic

The final touches

I fell in love with this Lundström cocoon sweater after seeing it on display.  I’m really into pieces with multi wear lately.  The fact that you can wear this as a cozy cocoon or as more of a shawl makes it versatile and the perfect season transitioning piece.

I also couldn’t walk away from snapping up these stunning Frug earrings.  I paired them with a few outfits in my first PRiMAALA post, but have been thinking about them ever since.  I love the metals used and the shape.  I know they will get lots of wear.

Outfit of the day:
blazer and t-shirt - Forever21 | skirt - Addition Elle | boots - Penningtons | necklace - Topshop | bracelet - Stella & Dot

I also got the opportunity to chat with Rachel on camera about PRiMAALA, check out the video below.

|Profile| PRiMAALA Part 1

Being plus size my entire life, I remember a time when finding clothes was near impossible.  That is if you didn’t want to look like a lady in her mid 50s that liked to garden and look like her outfit could be used as a circus tent on the weekends.  Things were limited, not cute and everywhere you looked, everything was the same as what you already had in your sad closet.  Well ladies, I hope you’ve noticed things have changed!  Plus size retailers are becoming more popular, fashions are actually on trend, and there are finally independent plus size boutiques opening up!  

I am proud to be the first to introduce you to PRiMAALA, a new Toronto boutique, catering to the more fashion conscience 14+ consumer.  This sleek and sophisticated shop is helmed by Rachel Holt.  A smart tastemaker and business savvy Rachel, was tired of searching everywhere but here for the fashions she wanted to wear.  Deciding to do something about that, PRiMAALA was created.  

I’ve known Rachel for a very long time.  As a student of Ryerson’s Fashion Design program, I lent a hand to her research for her 4th year thesis collection (no shocker, it was a plus size collection, which is a rare thing to see on the Ryerson runway).  We have worked together and have been long time friends.  Ever since I’ve known Rachel, the idea of her own store was always what she “did”.  She used every frustrating shopping experience to build the vision of her future store in her mind’s eye.  A self made entrepreneur, Rachel has done this all herself, something that not many 28 year olds can say.  

The name PRiMAALA comes from the combination of the word prime and the Hebrew word maala, which means to “rise up”.  A direct translation if you will, high end luxury for the plus size woman.  This concept can be seen throughout the entire boutique.  The once extension of the fine jewelers next door, has been completely revamped to embody an intimate and luxurious shopping experience.  European charm is fused with a modern elegance that is both beautiful and inviting.  The clean open concept is easy to shop, but welcomes you to take your time.  

Everything has been thought of here.  Rachel has taken every effort to personalize the PRiMAALA treatment.  When shoppers enter, they are greeted by the soft sent of the hand selected essential oil candles, a refreshing custom made bevy and a merchandise line up to love.  Focusing more on contemporary luxury, with a emphasis on local and international lines, Rachel has opted to introduce some covet worthy brands into her shop.  Collections range from Eileen Fisher, Carmakoma and James Jeans, to name a few.  With everything from shapewear to outerwear, it is one stop shopping.  PRiMAALA also carries Opelle bags and other Canadian accessory brands, featuring pieces that have been sized with the plus size woman in mind.

tuxedo jacket, lace top, jeans - all Carmakoma | tank top - Niki Biki | accessories - Frug

dress - Comfy USA | leggings - Svelte | purse - Opelle | earrings - Frug

I was so excited when Rachel let me check out the shop early!  Not everything was in yet, and some finishing touches where still under way, but I managed to play dress up all the same.  I pulled a few of my favourite pieces, to create a few looks that I think express different styles, but are all great for the upcoming season.  Rachel has always had a great eye for style, and after shopping her racks it’s simple to see why this is a perfect fit for her.  

top and pant - Carmakoma | purse - Opelle | sweater - Lisa Todd | skirt - Comfy USA | accessories - Frug

Located at 803 Dundas Street, West, PRiMAALA officially opens it’s doors on March 7th.  If you are interested in keeping up to date with PRiMAALA, please check it out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (Rachel has been busy making the store a reality, so there may not be the much information there yet...but there is more to come!).